Latest update January 1st, 2025 1:00 AM
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Endangered ‘Olive Ridley’ returned to natural habitat
The endangered ‘Olive Ridley’ sea turtle that was washed up on the Tuschen Foreshore, Sunday, and was transported to the Leonora Police Station was released yesterday on a beach next to Greenwich Park on the East Bank Essequibo, where it returned to its natural environment.
Romeo DeFreitas guided by police returned the sea turtle to its natural habitat.
According to Country Co-ordinator for Marine Turtle Project, Romeo DeFreitas, upon seeing the article of the stranded sea turtle, he rushed to uplift it and returned same to its natural habitat on a beach next to Greenwich Park, East Bank Essequibo, since the sea turtle cannot survive on land for a prolonged period.
The Co-ordinator explained that this specie has not been recorded in four years and is on the brink of extinction. The “Olive Ridley” is the smallest specie of the sea turtles, which grows up to twenty-five inches.
DeFreitas disclosed that the Olive Ridley had seine marks on the shell which proved that it was caught offshore.
He added that the nesting period for the sea turtles spans from February 15 to August 15. The green sea turtles would visit the beaches to nest followed by the leatherbacks, Hawksbill, and the Olive Ridleys which would be the last to nest.
The Co-ordinator revealed that the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation has been registered for ten years; however, the conservation programme has been monitoring sea turtles for 21 years.
He added that persons have been caught removing sea turtle eggs from Tiger Island and on the various beaches. However, he advises persons to desist from doing so since laws govern the protection of sea turtles.
“During the peak, 30 turtles can be seen nesting on a night.”
In addition, works are being done to highlight the protection of sea turtles with an educational awareness programme beginning aired from the end of April and should last for about two months.
DeFreitas commended the World Wildlife Funds (WWF) and Simon Oil Limited (SOL) has been generous to the development of the protection of sea turtles.
(Rabindra Rooplall)
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